Tadcaster Albion avoid scare in 3-2 win over Eccleshill United

After Elliott Andrew and Andrew Shepherd had scored for Tadcaster, strikes from Talent Ndlovu and an 87th minute equaliser from Hass Gorji saw Albion lose their two goal lead.

However, a last minute winner from Andrew, keeping up his impressive form, clinched the win for the Brewers.

There were starts for recent signings Steve Smith, Nathan Heaton and Oliver Norman. Luca Bolino played in an attacking midfield role alongside Ben Tweed.

Eccleshill started on the front foot and Ndlovu went close, side-footing a strike onto the wrong side of the post.

Sam Green then did well  to push a goalbound effort away - Fatlum Ibrahimi clearing  from the corner.

Tadcaster’s first meaningful attack came on nine minutes with Heaton putting Junayd Cassius-Gill through, but the shot was no problem for ex-Brewer’s goalkeeper Ally Hughes.

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Nevertheless on 15 minutes Albion took the lead; Bolino pulled a loose ball back to Andrew in the box, the shot spinning over the top of Hughes and into the net.

The Brewers continued to pressure the Eagles defence and soon doubled the score; Smith’s corner was cleared but only as far as Shepherd, loitering some 10-yards off the line, who smashed the ball on the volley into the net.

Shepherd had another chance as the half hour beckoned – good work from defence by Bolino found him clear in the box but offside. Andrew then headed wide whilst on 38 minutes a good exchange between Tweed and Bolino saw the Taddy centre forward miscue his shot.

The opening 45 has gone Tadcaster’s way but Eccleshill had produced a strong finish to the half and were looking dangerous.

The visitors came out causing havoc amongst the backline from the wing, as Shiraz Khan, Ndlovu, and substitute Matthias Britton all had their eyes on a goal back.

After a stop-start period due to injuries and both sides using many substitutes, Eccleshill continued to press on; Marcus Harper came close to grabbing a goal back as he snuck through the defence and hit a ball into the side netting.

All this pressure soon paid off for the Eagles, as the ball was cut back from the wing in the 60th minute to Ndlovu, who scored a first-time beauty - the strike curled away from Green and went in off his fingertips - too much power behind it for the goalkeeper to save.

Elliott Andrew scores Tadcaster Albion's stoppage-time winner over Eccleshill United. (Image: Keith Handley) Eccleshill had several more opportunities to get level as Tadcaster continued to play in a more defensive style.

Eventually, the equaliser came in the 87th minute, when Gorji, making a fast run in behind the defence, collected a through ball, carrying it another 10-yards before scoring with an explosive finish past the left hand of Green.

Eccleshill smelled blood as the fourth official called for 8 minutes of added time and were hammering on the door for a winner.

Nevertheless, against all the odds, it was Albion who produced the magical third goal.

Cassius-Gill started a counter-attack with an immense run down the left flank, before crossing the ball into Andrew, who could not help but score his second and Tadcaster’s winning third, sending the Young Guns Arena into ecstasy.

With a much-needed win and confidence boost, the Brewers will take the three points into their next fixture away against second from bottom Winterton Rangers on Saturday, December 7 (3pm) at the MKM Stadium.

TADCASTER ALBION: Green, Smith (Charlesworth, 75), Cassius-Gill, F. Ibrahimi, Heaton (Holmes, 56), Thirkell, Bolino (Greenway, 59), Shepherd, Andrew, Tweed, Norman (A.Ibrahimi, 82)